Photo by Michael DeehanSheila Dupre of East Longmeadow, nominee for the state Parole Board, is shown at her confirmation hearing at the Statehouse.

By Matt Murphy, STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

BOSTON -- Sheila Dupre, Gov. Deval Patrick’s pick for a seat on the Parole Board, told the Governor’s Council on Wednesday that her knowledge of the corrections system and experience with re-entry programs would benefit the board.

Dupre, who has spent a combined 23 years for the Hampden County sheriff’s office and the Department of Correction, told councilors that she would handle each parole eligible offender on a case-by-case basis, rejecting the idea that parole rates, citizenship status or other outside pressures should influence decisions.

“It’s a delicate balance between public safety and re-entry. Does the community have the resources necessary to provide the services and treatment necessary to assist the offender with the adjustment to the community?” Dupre said.

If confirmed, Dupre will fill the position currently held by John Bocon. Despite the Council’s vote to reject his re-nomination earlier this year, Bocon has remained on the board pending the confirmation of his successor.

Parole Board Chairman Joshua Wall, who has been forced to defend a recent decline in parole rates before the council, attended a portion of Dupre’s hearing.

Dupre, an East Longmeadow resident, started her career working for Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe and worked for 16 years in that office, overseeing department training and standards. She has worked for the Department of Correction for the past seven years, conducting audits of state and county facilities.

Members of the Governor’s Council largely heaped compliments on Dupre, citing her solid experience and recommendations that have poured in from sheriffs and other officials that have worked with her over the years.

Critics of her nomination, however, argued that Dupre lacked experience in working with inmates.

“I’m very pleased this nominee has experience working inside and is aware of the many factors that affect parole. That is the huge skill set Sheila would bring to the parole board. On paper things look great, but I would strongly prefer a nominee with experience who has worked with prisoners getting to know people who were incarcerated, their lives families, how they live and what motivates them to re-enter society,” said Leslie Walker, the director of Prisoners Legal Services.

Patricia Garin, a criminal defense attorney and co-director of the Northeastern University Law School Prisoners Assistance Program, joined Walker in advocating for a criminal defense attorney to be appointed to the Parole Board.

Both said the current makeup of the board, reconstituted by Gov. Deval Patrick after the murder of a Woburn police officer by paroled convict Dominic Cinelli, was dominated by people with backgrounds in law enforcement jeopardizing public safety and contributing to prison overcrowding.

“Recidivism rates go down when parole rate go up. This is happening around the country, but not in Massachusetts. It’s the Cinelli after-effect,” Garin said, telling councilors that declining parole rates have led to dangerously low morale among prisoners. She also said parolees are increasingly being recommitted for minor violations about of fear among parole officers that they might make a mistake.

“I have never in 27 years seen the spirit of the people serving time so low, so despondent, so hopeless, and you know what that means about safety in our prison. It’s no exaggeration. This is a nightmare,” Garin said.

While several councilors have expressed concern about declining parole rates, Councilor Jennie Cassie said she found Garin’s testimony “biased.”

Councilor Marilyn Devaney also said she found it unfair to pin the state of the current parole system on Dupre. “She can’t answer for that, and I don’t like to stereotype people,” Devaney said.

Asked what she would add to the Parole Board, Dupre cited her experience with the prison system, her knowledge of how the different sheriffs run their departments, and her involvement and familiarity with the various substance abuse, education, work training and other re-entry programs that prepare inmates for release.

“One of the things that would be most valuable for the parole board is to have someone with a working knowledge of what actually goes on in the institutions,” Dupre said, addressing the concerns of her critics by pointing out her frequent interactions with prisoners while conducting audits of prison facilities.

Dupre also highlighted her strong belief in making sure offenders are given the tools to succeed outside of prison when they are released, and said the availability of services should be a key factor in deciding parole cases.

“Without continuing to address their criminogenic needs with post release supervision, then we are failing ourselves and we are failing that inmate because without addressing those needs, it’s next to impossible for that inmate to succeed,” Dupre said.

Councilor Mary Ellen Manning, citing “concerns with the decisions being made at the Parole Board,” urged Dupre, if confirmed, to be independent and make her own decision.

“My concern with you is you’ve been a good foot soldier for the sheriff’s department and the Department of Corrections. You’re not in a foot soldier position now,” Manning said.

Councilor Charles Cipollini, a Fall River Republican who was the only councilor to support Bocon’s renomination, said he would also support Dupre.

“I like your statement that the judgment to release should be made on a case-by-case basis. I don’t like meeting a quota system and I’m going to vote for you,” Cipollini said.

Councilor Thomas Merrigan, who presided over the hearing, also said he was “impressed” by Dupre’s testimony and looked forward to placing her name in nomination for a vote next week.

“I think you offer an awful lot to the parole board that isn’t in the domain of those currently serving,” Merrigan said, noting that just because she comes from with the Department of Corrections doesn’t mean she’s in the “law enforcement bucket.”

Department of Correction Commissioner Luis Spencer was among the witnesses who testified in support of Dupre’s nomination. He said during her seven years in the department she displayed an ability to adapt to new challenges with a “unique blend that contributes to successful reentry into the community.”

“She is considered the leader in the field of corrections with the compassion, insight experience and intelligence to be an outstanding member of the Parole Board,” Spencer said.

Hampden Sheriff Michael Ashe called her a “consummate criminal justice professional with great integrity and a strong work ethic. “She ended up leaving me, which indicated her talent and skills,” Ashe said.